Nominations are open for the Nebraska Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Impact Awards. The Nebraska DEI Impact Awards presented by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, recognizes individuals and groups who actively advance diversity, equity and inclusion in transformative and sustainable ways at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
All winners from 2021 were nominated by colleagues and students, all noting exceptional commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and its importance in the daily interactions as Huskers.
“We believe that everything is better when we think about diversity… it makes the work we do better” said Lindsey Wit-Swanson, associate director of the Bureau of Sociological Research during her acceptance speech on behalf of the organization and winner of the Collective Impact Award.
This year’s awards, instituted in 2021, will be presented during the second annual Nebraska DEI Impact Award Ceremony on April 13. Nominations are sought for those who have led transformative efforts that support and enhance diversity activities and services.
“Many experiences shaped and developed me into the professional person I am today, within years of research and through my position as a science specialist and biology instructor, it was my determination to enhance opportunities that increased inclusion for our minority, underrepresented, or financially limited students in STEM” said Marianna Burks, winner of the inaugural Staff Diversity Award.
The awards are open for nominees in the following categories:
- Faculty — Diversity Leadership Faculty Award
- Staff — Diversity Leadership Staff Award
- Student (Undergraduate and Graduate/Professional) — Promising Leader Award
- Group — Collective Impact Award
“When I first came to UNL, I had a very limited knowledge of the concept in language surrounding diversity and inclusion work, however I was passionate about creating spaces to include those who might not get a seat at the table,” said Brooke Wells, winner of the inaugural Promising Graduate Leader Award.
The deadline to submit nominations is March 4. Nominations are open to all members of the campus – students, faculty and staff.
Learn more about the Nebraska DEI Impact Awards. For more information, send email to diversity@unl.edu.
